Last year, I turned 40.
In the lead-up, I felt it: a shift- physical, mental, and energetic.
I started to wonder:
➡️ What will the next 40 years look like?
➡️ Have I done enough to look after myself?
➡️ What changes do I need to make to truly support my body now?
So, I got intentional.
Here are the 5 changes I’ve made since turning 40 that have completely shifted how I feel in my body:
💪 Heavier lifting.
Not just strength training- but lifting heavier. Why? To build muscle mass, support my bones, manage my metabolism and hormones, and look after my brain.
🏃♀️ Plyometric training.
Years after giving up running and netball, I’ve started jumping and hopping again. I need it for my bones, to build power, and to keep my body reactive.
💥 SIT/HIIT.
I’ve revamped my cardio to include short bursts of high intensity with adequate rest. This super-efficient approach is helping my heart health and muscle power without spending hours on the treadmill.
☕ No coffee on an empty stomach.
This one was hard! But I’ve stopped having coffee first thing in the morning. I still enjoy it- just with food now- to avoid spiking cortisol levels unnecessarily.
🍗 Focus on protein & fiber.
I’ve never been a fan of dieting, but I’ve started prioritising protein and fibre. They’re essential now for maintaining muscle, bone health, digestion, and metabolism.
And here’s the biggest, most recent change…
🍷 I’m having a break from drinking alcohol.
This decision has been all about how I feel. I noticed alcohol starting to impact my sleep, energy levels, and even my mood. At this stage of life, it just didn’t feel supportive of the way I want to live or how I want to feel. And this ads up, because for women in their 40s and 50s, alcohol can also affect hormone regulation, bone health, and heart health. So whilst I don’t know what the future holds, dialing it right back has made a huge difference in how I show up for myself every day.
Have you made any changes recently that have shifted how you feel? Tell me below- I’d love to hear! 💛